New Creations

Isaiah 62 is about vindication and salvation.It also speaks of a new name - a new creation.Isaiah 62:2b (NRSVue) - and you shall be called by a new name that the mouth of the Lord will give.In 2 Corinthians 5, Paul writes about reconciliation.He also touches on a new creation.2 Corinthians 5:17 – (NRSVue) - So if anyone is in Christ, there is a new creation: everything old has passed away; look, new things have come into being!But what does it mean to be a new creation?In basic terms, the moment we establish a relationship with Christ, we become a new creation.We are different from the way we...

Living Instead of Surviving

In Isaiah 46, the prophet reminds the people that God is unique in the universe.No one compares to Him.Isaiah 46:9 (NRSVue) - remember the former things of old, for I am God, and there is no other; I am God, and there is no one like me,At the beginning of Revelation, John concludes his introduction.Revelation 1:8 – (NRSVue) - I am the Alpha and the Omega,” says the Lord God, who is and who was and who is to come, the Almighty.Aside from God, everyone and everything is finite.We are born, we live, and we die.Even the churches of Earth are finite.God existed long before human beings were created.God...

Grace Is for Everyone

In Job 12, Job claims that he is a laughingstock.Yet Job understands God’s wisdom and strength.Moreover, Job understands that everyone belongs to God.Job 12:16 (NRSVue) - With him are strength and wisdom; the deceived and the deceiver are his.Paul, in his first letter to Timothy, goes a step further.Everyone belongs to God.And God wants everyone to be saved.1 Timothy 2:4 (NRSVue) – who desires everyone to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth.Pilate asked, “What is truth?”The simple answer is Christ,Jesus said as much to His followers.John 14:6 – (NRSVue) - Jesus said to him, “I...

The Power of the Understated

Scripture often has a great deal to say about some people.People like Moses, Abraham, and David come to mind.There are others, to be sure.In comparison, some are barely mentioned,There may be a verse here and a verse there making these individuals easy to overlook.Enoch was such a person.Genesis 5 tells us he was the father of Methuselah.But then Scripture adds one especially important verse.Genesis 5:24 (NRSVue) - Enoch walked with God; then he was no more, because God took him.Here, scripture tells us that “Enoch walked with God.”Although brief, this statement is full of meaning.What does it...

The Wilderness Experience

 The people wandered in the wilderness for 40 years.But they received a reminder as they were about to enter the land promised to their ancestors.Deuteronomy 8:2 (NRSVue) - Remember the long way that the Lord your God has led you these forty years in the wilderness, in order to humble you, testing you to know what was in your heart, whether or not you would keep his commandments.The people were tested for forty years.But Scripture reminds us that Christ was also tested in the wilderness.Christ was tested for forty days.Mark 1:12-13 (NRSVue) - And the Spirit immediately drove him out into...

New Year; New You

Psalm 48 is a song about the strength of Zion.But the Psalmist ends the song with a reminder of the source of strength.Psalm 48:14 (NRSVue) - that this is God, our God forever and ever. He will be our guide forever.John 14 is a beautiful chapter,In its opening verses, Christ reminds his followers of several inescapable facts,He reminds them that He is going to prepare a place for them.He also reminds them that they know the way.Only Thomas asks the question that the others were asking themselves.“Lord, we do not know where you are going. How can we know the way?”John 14:6 (NRSVue) - Jesus said...